Question

a. What is echocardiogram?

b. describe at least three assessment of the patient performed by the echocardiogram technician. Identify priorities and state the rationale for each.

c. describe methods of communication utilized in each situation of the echocardiogram and state how each contributed to patient safety during the procedure.

d. describe systems that are in place to promote patient safety as well as potential challenges within these existing systems during the echocardiogram test.

Answer 1

Answer: An echocardiogram (echo) is a heart's movement graphic outline. During an echo test, high-frequency sound waves from a hand-held wand placed on chest provide pictures of the heart's valves and chambers and helps the sonographer evaluate the pumping action of the heart. Electrodes are placed on the chest wall and collect information about the electrical activity of the heart along with the blood flow rate as EKG can provide blood flow within arteries to heart muscle and the thickness of heart muscle approximately.

Before the test patient should not eat anything and have an empty stomach to prevent vomiting and aspiration into the lungs and this usually requires some sedation to tolerate the procedure. Due to the sedation, the patient will need a family member or friend to escort the patient home.